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Chaos Before the Calm

I have been going through closets and boxes and de-junking. It has been years since I consented to part with my boxed-up treasures. I might have to admit that I rely too heavily on my possessions and too little on the Lord. But now I am ready to have the comfort of a simple life that is only possible without clutter.

In the process of cleaning I have created a huge mess! Books and papers are strewn everywhere. It is a good mess because it is the chaos before the calm.

It is funny but chaos comes before the calm in other ways too. Babies cry before they go to sleep. Weeds flourish before the flowerbeds are cleaned out and replanted. No one thinks about organizing the shed until they can’t get in there anymore.

In my case, I ignored the chaos in my closets for a long long time. This was due to poor health which made it hard to take interest in anything. Spiritual, emotional and physical problems frustrate good intentions to stay on top of things. It is important to deal with these issues first in order to return to a state of calm in other areas.

It is possible to have a very tidy exterior to a very chaotic emotional state. I know people who feel more in control of their life if their house is perfectly immaculate. I’m not one of those people. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and you can tell if I’m having a bad year because my Christmas lights are still up in July.

It is not good to pretend that life is going well when it is not. This type of suppression forces the organs of the body to pay a heavy price. Humility is the virtue that gives us the power to acknowledge our own weakness and take steps towards positive change.

Here are some examples of the physical manifestations caused by suppression of emotional or spiritual problems. This list should not be used to diagnose a problem because often problems are complicated and affect more than one organ at a time.

Anxiety or fear of letting go can cause bladder problems

Reluctance to let go can also cause bowel problems

Arguments and yelling at home and depression can cause lung problems

Inability to express emotions can cause poor blood circulation

Blame can cause cold sores

Disappointment of failure can cause kidney problems

Stubbornness can cause neck and spinal problems

Need for protection can cause weight gain

Seeing life only in black and white and refusal to see another way can cause suicide

The truth is that God has enough power to help each one of us overcome the trials we face in life. In the past, I have felt so overcome with grief that I had no faith in a positive outcome. If you too lack the faith to turn to God, please turn to a doctor. Doctors do not have nearly as much power as God but they will assist anyone who comes to them as best they can. If you are ready to get help then look at your situation as the beginning of the end because chaos always precedes the calm.

In Texas we say: Always carry more ‘n one rope. You might run across more ‘n one rope can handle.